in the skin

i borrowed a book from elizabeth and i figured i should read it before she gets back. micheal ondaatje is a very poetic writter and i love his use of disconnected details to show you the whole picture. although he did a lot of historic research, which i really appriciate, i was a bit disappointed in the plot. it seemed somhow similar to the english patient (the best part of that book was ralph fiennes) because there was adultry, nudity and a couple of "f "bombs. i also loved how he did everything in present tense and had no cronological order. there were as many flash forwards as there were flash backs. the character developement and poetry are what pulled me through, otherwise i might have quit half way. I am still excited to read his latest "Anil's Ghost" because it takes place in Sri Lanka and we have a foster daughter there.

i just finnished reading my new favorite book, "Roots" by Alex Haley (as seen on the left on the set of the film based on the book) the reasons why i liked it is because i also detested it. the historical refrences were very accurate and the treatment of slaves was brutal. the hardships of the family were disgusting. I liked it because Haley had the chance to research his ansestors based on an oral history passed down seven generations to keep his ansestors' memories alive. this kind of family unity and respect has gained my upmost admiration. i want to do the same for my family. my heart is turned.